Finished British 1776 rifle

[Penske]

After all the questions about putting this rifle together it is finally finished. A good learning experience as there is not alot of information concerning this rifle in books or on the internet. Thanks to all those who gave their input and guidance. The rifle shop kit is an advanced kit to put together and their stock work at least on this stock left much to be desired. Many issues to overcome but not insurmountable just annoying. Many hours of filing parts. Not much room for error on the cast parts. Anyway I have included some photos of the finished rifle.

[rich pierce]

There ya go! Cool project, nicely done.

[jmf]

That brit rifle sure looks great! Did you put the lock together from castings?

[Penske]

Hi JMF,
Yes,  but I would not do it again. The time to construct the lock was almost a 1/4 of the whole project. Many redos on the hardening and spring making.

[Algae]

That's a beauty! You can be very proud of that one!

Al J.

[Clint]

Nice rifle from every angle. I would urge you to get another lock set from TRS or Chris Hirsch. Once you have built a lock, the mysteries begin to disapear. These things DO get easier. Stay away from small locks and stick with rifle or even musket size locks for a while. Lock making can become habit forming, so be careful.

[alacran]

Nice job, looks like it will make a practical hunting rifle.

[jmf]

Hi JMF,
Yes,  but I would not do it again. The time to construct the lock was almost a 1/4 of the whole project. Many redos on the hardening and spring making.

I sort of figured I have a long road ahead to do a lock kit too. Its only a few hours, I theorized when buying it. Maybe it win’t be as bad as Im thinking now. Two questions Ive been pondering; Are the dimples for drilling accurate in your estimation? And did you have to deepen the engraving before polishing?

[Penske]

JMS,
The castings hole dimples are close but not exactly accurate. You will need to measure carefully. Yes the engraving will need to be freshened after polishing. You may get lucky and get a real good casting with minimal flaws to polish out then you could save the engraving.
Penske

[jmf]

Thank you for your input. Its probable I’ll have other questions later on. If I can do half as nice a job as you have on yours, I will be feeling fortunate.

[David Rase]

I have always liked that rifle.  Nice job!
David

[smart dog]

Hi,
Nice job!  It looks like the real deal.  It is nice to see that TRS copied the crude engraving on the locks, which is authentic. 

JMF, usually the tumbler hole position is well defined but all of the other witness marks need to be checked before using. When you build a TRS lock set, first make sure the lock plate is not warped and that the inside surface is flat.  True all that up before doing anything else.  Then clean up all the parts before doing any assembly but use care not to file off too much.  Just get rid of the sprue and flashing and flatten surfaces that should be flat.  Next, true up the tumbler sides and spindles. Once that is done, you are ready to drill the tumbler hole in the lock plate. Drill under size and ream, stone, or lap the tumbler fit.  Then you can check how other parts fit, check the accuracy of the witness marks and use or ignore them if appropriate.  Drill and fit one part at a time.

dave 
   

[jmf]

Dave, Thank you for your good advise also. When I get started at this I will probably start a thread and ask questions as I go. Theres a lot of things about it that the work order doesn’t seem to come intuitively. Hopefully I can get some help from Penske and you at that time. Its obvious to me that you are both very well accomplished.

[Niall]

To build a bit of confidence get one of the bridleless locks from TRS, like say, the English Queen Anne Military Pistol (811) lock or one of the Sea Service Pistol locks. Less parts so less chance to f/u . Get a pair of them and sort out the heat treating on the first one. The second one should be a lot easier..Get a spare lock plate as well , for $25 it'll reduce indecision stress.

The tumbler fit is important on a bridleless tumbler so do as smart dog suggested and lap the tumbler to fit with valve grinding paste.

You'll have a couple of nice  simple locks so keep going; get the rest of the parts. Order two .62 cal. smoothbore barrels from Charlie Burton and by the time they arrive you'll be an expert 

Just a suggestion

That's a very nice rifle ,btw, and really authentic. Great job.

[GANGGREEN]

I'm curious about the inlet of that style of buttplate.  Do you inlet them forward/in, inlet them down or inlet them down and forward at the same time?

[Mike Brooks]

I'm curious about the inlet of that style of buttplate.  Do you inlet them forward/in, inlet them down or inlet them down and forward at the same time?

Down then forward

[Clowdis]

It's different, I like it!

[GANGGREEN]

I'm curious about the inlet of that style of buttplate.  Do you inlet them forward/in, inlet them down or inlet them down and forward at the same time?

Down then forward

Thank you.